WichiTalk

One of my favorite sights of the holidays here in Wichita are the lights that show up downtown year after year. I always look for the soldiers, the green dragon in the fountain and the snowflakes adorning the light poles. It just doesn’t feel like Christmas until I drive along Douglas to rekindle childhood memories of inching along as we looked at the light displays.

What are your favorite holiday displays around Wichita? Do you prefer simple decor, or is an all-out, over-the-top display your idea of celebrating the season? Leave your comments here, and
Merry Christmas from all of us on the WichiTalk team!

Posted by Missy Good

An article in today’s WichiTalk explains the growing trend of "self-gifting." Basically, it’s when shoppers looking for gifts for others decide to treat themselves to something special, too. If you shop online or are 18 to 34 years old, you’re apparently more likely to participate in self-gifting.

I fall into both categories and did buy something for myself last week when I was shopping. The cold, dry air is wreaking havoc on my hands, and I couldn’t pass up a gift set of overnight hand lotion and spa gloves, which I’ve never tried before. I guess I could have dropped major hints that I wanted the set to family and friends, but I chose not to be a nag and just bought it myself.

Have you purchased something for yourself this month while Christmas shopping? What did you buy? Do you think self-gifting is selfish?

Click on "comments" below and plead your case.

Posted by Lori O’Toole Buselt

When our stubborn kitchen sink faucet quit working this weekend, my husband and I remembered a gift card to a home improvement store that we received for Christmas last year. We had intended to use it for a project we’ve been putting off, but it sure came in handy when we only had to pay $16 for a brand new beautiful faucet on Sunday. It was so great not having to worry about the unexpected expense that I’m thinking about adding a gift card to a home improvement store to my gift list each year.

What do you think about gift cards as Christmas gifts?

Posted by Lori O’Toole Buselt

I love finding Christmas cards in my mailbox this time of year, especially when they have updated family photos and heartfelt messages inside. I have noticed a trend this year, though, among my card-senders: Everything is preprinted! On the envelope, my home address and the sender’s address have been printed on computer labels or on fancy return address labels. And even card messages have been commercially stamped, "Love, Bob and Sue" or "Happy Holidays from the whole gang!"

Not to discount their thoughtfulness or imply that I’m expecting a long family report, but it feels a bit processed for my taste to not include anything personalized. And I’m a huge fan of figuring out ways to save time. Did they not have the 10 seconds to simply sign their names to spread a little holiday cheer? Bah humbug, indeed.

Are you noticing this same trend? What’s your reaction?

Posted by Lori O’Toole Buselt

Happy December! Time to start thinking about all the holiday details (if you haven’t already). How will you spend your first December evening? I’ll be getting together with other women in my family to have a card party. It’s one way we celebrate the season and get a start on our holiday to-do list. We have dinner, nibble on selections from a buffet of homemade desserts (I tried a new mocha rum ball recipe) and share stickers, stamps and other notions while starting on our Christmas cards.

If you want to know exactly how much time is left until Dec. 25th (down to the second), check out this Web site: www.emailsanta.com.

Posted by Lori O’Toole Buselt